The following districts presented on the progress of their proposed projects at the May 17, 2023 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the “FAS”) Meeting:
City of Newton
Countryside Elementary School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner’s Project Manager: Dore & Whittier Management Partners, LLC
Designer: DiNisco Design, Inc.
The City of Newton (the “District”), the Owner’s Project Manager, and design team presented an overview of the options studied during the Feasibility Study and the District’s preferred solution to proceed into Schematic Design to replace the existing Countryside Elementary School with a new facility serving kindergarten through grade 5 on the existing site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: appreciation for the overall design of the proposed building; integration of sloped walkways and universal design principles; building orientation on the site; building massing and opportunities to break down scale with architectural elements and streamline volumes; hardscape surfaces within the back courtyard and opportunities to use permeable surfaces for drainage and stormwater management; sheltered entrances and exits; appreciation of the District's educational program and thoughtful responses to comments; upcoming school department leadership transition and continuity of educational priorities; proposed staffing of the building; brief discussion on operational budget for elementary schools; site constraints and potential challenges as it relates to current and future floodplain projections; distribution of Special Education spaces and DESE review process; and, community outreach and support for the proposed project..
MSBA staff is currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA’s Board of Directors.
City of Lynn
Pickering Middle School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner’s Project Manager: LeftField, LLC
Designer: Raymond Design Associated, Inc.
The City of Lynn (the “District”), the Owner’s Project Manager, and design team presented an overview of the options studied during the Feasibility Study and the District’s preferred solution to proceed into Schematic Design to replace the existing Pickering Middle School with a new facility serving grades 6-8 on the site of the existing Pickering Middle School, Sisson Elementary School, and adjacent Magnolia Park. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: appreciation of the Educational Program; distribution of Special Education program spaces on the second floor and DESE review process; appreciation of creativity of the placement of the building on a compact site; site constraints and potential challenges as it relates to current and future floodplain projections; incorporation of transparent and opaque materials to further define interior spaces and maximize natural light; location of the Media Center on the first floor; location of the proposed Learning Deck; consideration of alternative windows on the Media Center to add character and break down scale; appreciation of World Language program offerings for English Learners and incorporation of the state seal of biliteracy; consideration of a spring floor in the gymnasium for dance and other types of performances; upcoming school department leadership transition and continuity of educational vision; District’s intention for future use of the existing Pickering facility; and, District’s efforts to urge legislators to revise state (Ch. 70) funding formula so additional operational money would be available to support programs and professional development.
MSBA staff are currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA’s Board of Directors.
City of Holyoke
William R. Peck Middle School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner’s Project Manager: Anser Advisory, LLC (formerly Pinck & Co., Inc.)
Designer: Mount Vernon Group Architects, Inc.
The City of Holyoke (the “District”), the Owner’s Project Manager, and design team presented an overview of the District’s preferred schematic design to replace the existing middle school facility with a new William R. Peck Middle School on the existing site, as part of the MSBA’s Model School Program. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed: the District’s educational program and associated building needs; ongoing rezoning and grade reconfiguration across the District; considerations for the proposed middle school schedule including number and duration of daily class periods, student transitions, collaborative planning time for teachers, and proposed special education programming; opportunities for art, music, physical education and world language program offerings as essential components of the current schedule development effort; overall project schedule considerations; and community outreach and potential opportunities to expand access and incentives for participation.
MSBA staff are currently working with the District to reach a mutually agreeable solution to recommend to the MSBA’s Board of Directors.
